As today was the official last day of pre production. I wanted to spend my day working with Ronnie so that I knew we were both happy and on the same page. We called in all cast and crew so that we could run the scenes with the cast, and I could make sure that crew understood what was needed for each scene and where we were going to be filming. I stopped the cast after each scene so I could run my checklist with all departments. 

Today was the first day of production! I got in early to ensure that the equipment was ready to be collected so we could get going straight away! I was aware that the current weather was playing hard to get but after a clearer morning, I decided to give the go ahead on the shoot. Once the crew had arrived, we went over to collect all the kit and I decided it would be best to test all the kit before they left for location. Once I was happy, I briefed everyone with the plan of action and also the health and safety requirements for the shoot. As I wasn’t going on shoot today, I made it clear that Paul would be controlling the shoot and that he kept me in the loop at all times. 

Once everyone was happy, I arranged taxis to take them over with the kit to the location. I had arranged for the crew to go ahead of the cast so that once makeup had finished working on the actors, they could set off and begin shooting as soon as they arrived. Before I could get chance to send the cast off to the location, I was informed that the weather had taken a turn and that it was now impossible to get the footage we needed. Due to the safety risk also of the wind, I decided to abandon the shoot. As soon as I knew that we were going to be battling the weather all week, I decided that we needed a new plan for the upcoming shoots as we cannot waste any more time because of weather conditions. 

I got working on a new location plan and tried to work out how we could capture the scenes through interior locations. I called in all the crew who had been on today’s shoot and we had a meeting going through the possible ideas. 

Today was the first day of our last week. I had arranged to do the experiment scene in Manchester by the cathedral as we could film against a wall and not have as much bother with pedestrians. I had made a call sheet with step by step instructions regarding the transportation of cast, crew and kit which was then uploaded last night and sent on the Facebook page to ensure that everyone had access. I knew it was going to be a complicated day as I had arranged different times/ travel for all departments. Due to this, I ensured that my coordinator, Paul, was up to scratch on the pan so he could assist me to ensure a smooth shoot.  

Today was the first day of pre-production for the film I am producing ‘Clickbait’. The day began with a full cast and crew meeting which allowed me to discuss the plans for the next 3 weeks with everyone involved. I knew it was important that everyone understood the way I wanted to approach the production so that we could operate in a smooth and productive way. I firstly spoke about the google drive which is a shared area I had set up so that everyone could access and upload all the relevant paperwork. As we only have a week to plan the production in its entirety, I needed everyone to understand how important it was that all work was uploaded as soon as it was completed so that I knew (as producer) we were on schedule. Also at the meeting, I spent a few minutes talking about punctuality and attendance. Working on a group project can be really difficult when people aren’t punctual and even worse when others don’t’ show up at all! This film is very dependent on everyone just as equally and needs every crew and cast member to be fully on board and present in order for it to be a success. 

Once the meeting was over, I called over the locations manager, set designer and makeup/costume designer over to have a meeting regarding the look and plans for the film. The film is heavily location based and having worked on the role last year, I knew it was something that needed working on from the go and so sat with Meg and we discussed the possible locations we could use by going through the script. I made it clear that all the locations needed to be firstly a safe working environment for not only the cast and crew, but also for the general public. The locations also had to be a safe environment for us to set up the kit without coming across any dangers. Once we had made a list of possible locations based on what we had discussed, I was happy for Meg to go out on her first recce.

I then wanted to turn my attention to the props for the film with our props and set dressing crew member, Eleanor. Again, we worked our way through the script and highlighted any mention of specific props that the script had written down, from this, we were able to have a think about what we could add to help give the film a more detailed look. 

After meeting with all the departments, I sat with my co-ordinator, Paul, and we stared to break down the scenes and begin putting a schedule together for the production weeks.

I started my day with Paul and we had a look through the drive to see what work had been uploaded so that we could see how far the progress had gone. I had called in the departments at different times so that I could have a 45 minute 1-2-1 to discuss what they had done and what the next step was. Meg has shown me some pictures of possible locations she has found and so I gave her the rest of the day to go out and find them so we could measure up if the location was safe enough to film. I also stressed that we needed apply for filming permission ASAP so we could secure our plans. Martina, whose role is makeup and costume, came to me with some first draft ideas for the characters. We discussed each character and I thought it may be a good idea for her to meet up with each cat member to discuss their ideas for their role so that we could match that with their appearance. We also talked about what needed buying and what we could source from other people. 

After my meetings, I began scheduling in the filming days so we had an idea of who would be needed when are where. Myself and Paul looked through the script and noted down all the locations and decided dates based on practicality. Having the dates down this early means we have time to move and re schedule if we so need. I passed the dates with director, Ronnie, and told the cast to check it on the drive so that they knew what to prepare. 

I managed to get some more location pictures from Meg and after a meeting with Ronnie, I asked if she could start the forms for filming permission. 

Because I have been busy working at a computer, I hadn’t had chance to go into any rehearsals. I managed to get in today and have a look at some scenes which gave me a better understanding on Ronnie’s vision. Once I had captured some of the cast in action, I went over to check in on the editors. They have been busy creating our video stream website and so I needed to check it over for any copyright. They have managed to create a whole new look which works great for our film. 

Throughout the day I have been busy checking in with all the different departments and planning the upcoming production weeks with my co-ordinator, Paul. I am happy with the progress and confident we have everything on the go!

We are now half way through our pre- production week and so I wanted everyone to catch up in a meeting so we could discuss what we had all been up to and also so that I could show the filming schedule and answer any questions. 

I started by showing everyone the drive which now has all the relevant filming days in folders with the first two risk assessments and call sheets available for viewing. I explained how each day has its own folder and all relevant departments must add their work for that shoot in the folder so we had everything together and everyone knows what’s needed for that particular shoot. From this, I was able to show the filming schedule and explain the locations and script pages for each day. I used this opportunity to answer any questions and get any feedback on the way I had organised the days. 

After the meeting, I was able to check over the location application forms and we got them sent off. 

Today I wanted to check in on all the departments to ensure that we were all ready to go for Monday. I met with locations first as I needed to know exactly what we had signed off and what was still needed looking at. Luckily, majority were taken care off, especially for week one so I was happy to leave locations to carry on with the remainder of the research. Makeup seemed all good to me, I knew Martina was confident and I had seen some test pictures on the drive so I again was happy with that! Eleanor who was on props had all props ready to go which great me great confidence as I knew that the film required very specific things to help drive the story. I went over the budget sheet with props to ensure that I had correctly entered in what money was owed back. 

Today we had a total of 6 scenes to shoot. Luckily, I had planned for these scenes to be shot within houses so I knew we wouldn’t have any bother with the weather and we could finally begin getting some scenes completed. As we had so many scenes to be done, I used my time to ensure that everything was being filmed on time within the schedule that I had sent out last night. We had a lot of makeup to do and a total of 4 cast members who were all needed at different times. Also to add to the day, we had a dog on set too! So that we could keep the day going, I scheduled the props, makeup and techs to come in early so that when we needed to move room, bring in a new cast member, there was a fast turn around which left good time for all the scenes to be filmed. 

I had to cancel all production today as the weather took another turn which meant that filming would be impossible to do. So that we weren’t wasting any time, I used the dead hours to catch up with director, Ronnie and also meet with the edit team so we could review some footage together.

Today we recorded the opening scenes of the film. Due to the weather conditions on day 1, we created a fort which the lead characters would sit in as if they were out on a park. Along with this, I made the decision to add another scene into today’s shoot. As the JJ final vlog was written as an interview, I thought it may be handy to get the shot wrapped in the same room as we could pull round the black curtain and create a ‘studio’. As the shoot call time was at 3pm, it gave me chance to go over the scenes we recorded on Tuesday with the editors. Once the room became available, I went in to ensure the space was workable and began assisting the design of the fort. As we had to be out of the room by 6, I stayed to ensure that the shoot was conducted on schedule. At the end of the shoot, I knew it was important for all the props to be collected and kept together as we had to re-create the fort for the exterior shoot in a few week’s time. 

Today was the recording of Leila’s vlogs. I began the day by going off to collect all the money that had already been used to help fund the film. Once I had received the cash, I had to go to the bank and send off the money to everyone’s bank accounts so that I could then sign the money off the sheet as refunded. Once I returned from the bank, I managed to get myself on set so I could check over on the action and see if we were on schedule. Luckily, we were which meant that I could return to uni and complete my tasks ready for production week 2. 

We had a lot to get through today, so I knew that my presence on set was going to be in high demand. We had a total of 8 scenes to complete. Not all the scenes were as long as each other, however they required the same location. I knew this would be a lot of work so I also added an extra day so we could return tomorrow. I was present on set and helped out where I could. I worked alongside my coordinator, Paul and we monitored the health and safety as the shoot did become a night shoot and we were in a public space. Things got a bit heated towards the end of the shoot as people were getting tired and as our director hadn't planned enough with regards to shooting plans, it was all down to our DOP to create the shots on the spot. I did find it very frustrating that the director wasn’t planning shoots as it all fell on me to keep the peace and help get the shoot rolling.  

We had to return to the same spot tonight as the footage recorded last night wasn’t what the script was meaning to add to this, I met with the editors earlier in the day today ad they said how the footage wasn’t useable as the shots were far too dark. I feel at this point our director is not working with regards of other in mindset as now I have to complete another risk assessment and plan another shoot for tonight to shoot what we I thought was wrapped last night. I still have 2 days' worth of film to produce but for now I need to get on with panning how to deal with the reshoots from last night and see where we can find some time to slot in the rest of the shoot.  

I had planned to shoot 2 scenes today. One in the studio theatre and the other on location in Deansgate, Manchester. As my coordinator Paul was also attending the pickup last night, I made a deal with him and gave him the morning off so that I could cover the day shoot and then for the night, he could come in and oversee whilst I sit with the editors and review all footage. I got in early so I could be on site ready for the crew arrival with the kit. The shoot went very smoothly which resulted in an early wrap. The weather however was on and off again which meant I had to monitor it and decide on whether it will be safe to carry on.  I notified all the team to say that I will be making the final decision but to keep all alerts on so that they knew as soon as I posted the update. Luckily, I could give the go ahead and the shoot went on. I spent the evening with the editors making a list on what we needed to pickup during the first week back. We diced to reshoot the JJ vlog tomorrow so we could lock off the vlogs and then focus on the exterior re shoot once we returned. I got the call out as early as I could so that the shoot tomorrow could go ahead.  

Today was the final day of production. I had decided to complete the vlog pickup. I arranged the shoot to be completed in time for the kit to be dropped back off at the store so that we didn’t face any fines. Luckily, the shoot only took two hours, so we had a nice early finish, ready to piece the scene back into the edit before Easter. Once completed I put together the pickup schedule ready for after Easter and placed it in the drive so that all departments were aware of what needed keeping for continuity reasons.